Sphere launching apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sphere launching apparatus for use with a valve closure member for sequentially ejecting spheres in a pipeline, said apparatus having a releasing means pivotable about a first axis for engaging a valve closure member and a sphere catcher means pivotally secured about a second axis spaced from the first axis for releasably engaging spheres and having an adjustable actuating link connecting the releasing means and catching means for causing angular movement of the same to angularly pivot the catcher means into and out of engagement with successive spheres at a first rate upon angular pivoting of the releasing means at a second rate less than the first rate through opening and closing of the valve closure member to sequentially release spheres and to allow the valve closure member to substantially close before releasing the next sphere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a sphere launching apparatus forlaunching a sphere in a fluid carrying pipeline. In particular, theinvention relates to an apparatus for a sequentially ejecting spheres bygravity into a pipeline upon the opening and closing of a check valve.

Numerous apparatus have been proposed in the past which provide a meansfor ejecting plugs or spheres (commonly referred to as "pigs") intopipelines. Examples of such apparatus are exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos.:2,818,592; 2,965,125; 3,000,028; 3,028,996; 3,146,477; 3,166,094;3,266,077; 3,322,140; 3,397,570; 3,408,674; and, 3,543,769.

In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,263 issued to H. N. Eagleton which isassigned to the same entity as this application, discloses a spherelaunching apparatus which is operated upon the opening and closing of acheck valve. This device discloses in FIG. 4 a releasing means 96 whichis pivotally mounted about a pivot pin 94 and includes a roller 98 forengaging a clapper valve for operating the releasing means. A catchermeans 100 is also pivotally mounted about the shaft 94 and as best shownin FIG. 3 of the Eagleton patent includes clutch shoulders 104 and 105which alternately engage similar clutch shoulders 107 on the releasingmeans 96. The clutch shoulders provide a lost motion connector betweenthe releasing means and catcher means so that the releasing means can berotated independently of the catching means after the catching means hasrotated a predetermined amount. As best shown in FIG. 4 of said patent,when the portion 109 has engaged the top of the valve, the catchingmeans 100 can no longer rotate counterclockwise while the releasingmeans 96 can further rotate counterclockwise to allow the sphere 102(a)to be released.

In the case of very large pipelines which may be in the order of threefeet in diameter, the spheres may become very heavy. It is best shown inFIG. 1 of the Eagleton patent, a plurality of spheres are provided forsequentially releasing upon actuation of the catcher means and releasingmeans. Accordingly, should the launcher tube 10 be of such a size toallow for very large spheres, the weight of these spheres would reactthrough gravity on the catcher arm 100. After a sphere 102(a) isreleased, the clapper of the valve is closed which allows the releasingmeans 96 to rotate until the shoulder 107 engages the shoulder 105. Atthis point the releasing means will cause the catcher means to rotateclockwise as shown in FIG. 4 to allow the next sphere 102(b) to rollinto engagement with the releasing means 96. If this sphere engages thereleasing means before the clapper is closed, it will be necessary toexert sufficient force on the clapper which in turn exerts the force onthe releasing means to force the sphere 102(b) and any additionalspheres back up into the launching tube 10 to seal off the launchingtube. When the launching tube is full of very large spheres, this mayrequire a very large amount of force to close the clapper valve.

Also the shoulders 104, 105 and 107 of Eagleton control the angularrelationship between the releasing means and catcher means. Accordingly,some care must be exercised in manufacturing regarding tolerancesbetween the parts.

It is an object of this invention to provide a linkage mechanism whichwill not be actuated to release a sphere until the clapper is almostclosed so that the clapper will be able to close or substantially closebefore the releasing means is engaged by the next sphere. It is also anobject of this invention to provide a mechanism which can bemanufactured simply and economically without the need for very closetolerances. It is also an object of the invention to provide anapparatus which can be adjusted and thus eliminate the need for veryclose tolerances. Other objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new and improved sphere launching apparatus having a releasing meanswhich engages a valve closure member which may be a clapper valve. Acatcher means is provided for sequentially releasing a sphere into apipeline upon actuation of the releasing means by moving of the valveclosure member. The releasing means is rotatably mounted about a firstaxis and the catcher means is rotatably mounted about a second axiswhich is spaced from the first axis. An adjustable link interconnectsthe releasing means and catcher means so that the relative angularrelationship between the releasing means and catching means may beadjusted. A lost motion connector is provided for the link and thereleasing means so that the releasing means can release the sphere intoa pipeline while the catcher means prevents any other spheres from beingreleased. The releasing means does not actuate the catcher means untilthe releasing means has almost rotated to the valve closed position andthe linkage means provides an angular movement of the catcher meansgreater than the angular movement of the releasing means so that thevalve member may reach or almost reach the fully closed position beforethe next sphere rolls into position in engagement with the releasingmeans for release into the pipeline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross-section, prior to release of a sphere in a pipeline.

FIG. 2 is another side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross-section, showing the position of the valve closuremember after a sphere has been released into the pipeline and just priorto closure of the valve closure member to position a new sphere forrelease into the pipeline.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sphere launching apparatus which maybe mounted into a conventional valve.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross section and a sphere storage barrel filled with spheres.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross section, showing the releasing means as the check valveis partially opened.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross section, showing the position of the catcher means andreleasing means after the sphere is released.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross section, showing the position of the releasing meansjust prior to closing of the check valve.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the sphere launching apparatus,partly in cross section, showing the next sphere in position forlaunching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMOBDIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown spherelaunching apparatus 10 attached to valve 11. A plurality of spheres 12,13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d and 13e are shown for ejection into a pipeline(not shown). The sphere launching apparatus 10 includes a releasingmeans 14 which is pivotally mounted with support member 15. A catchermeans 16 is also pivotally mounted with support member 15. A catchermeans 16 is also pivotally mounted to support means 15 for sequentiallyreleasing spheres into the pipeline. The catcher means 16 and releasing14 are operatively connected by actuating means 17 as will be more fullyexplained hereinafter. The valve 11 includes a valve closure member 18for controlling the release of spheres into the pipeline. A storagebarrel 100 is provided for storing the spheres.

The valve 11 is of conventional construction and takes the form of aswing clapper valve. The valve 11 includes a body portion 19 includingan inlet flange 20 an outlet flange 21 for connecting the valve 11 inthe launching system. The inlet flange 20 may typically be connected toa launcher tube 100 shown in FIG. 4 which will contain the plurality ofspheres for ejecting into the pipeline. The apparatus may be connectedin a launching system such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,263, H. N.Eagleton inventor, which patent is incorporated herein for all purposesby this specific reference thereto. The valve 11 additionally includes aremovable cover plate 22 which is secured to an opening 23 by aplurality of removeable studs 24 for providing access to the valveclosure member 18.

The valve closure member 18 includes a clapper arm 25 which is pivotallymounted about support pin 26 for swinging movement as shown in FIG. 2.Removably mounted upon the clapper arm 25 is a conventional clapper 27which includes annular seal means 28 for engaging the annular sealingsurface 29 on the valve body portion 19. Since the valve 11 is ofconventional construction, no further description is provided thereof.

The sphere launching apparatus as shown in detail is FIG. 3 is designedfor removably mounting in conventional valve 11. However, it is alsounderstood that it is contemplated that the support member 15 might beintegrally formed with with the valve body 11 if desired. The supportmember 15 includes a support bracket 30 comprising a bifurcated memberhaving a central portion 31 for receiving the securing bolts 35 and 36which extends through openings 37 and 38 in the body portion 19 as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. The back surface 31' of the central portion 31 restsagainst the wall surface 19' of the body portion 19.

The releasing means 14 includes a bifurcated member 39 which is formedfrom two side plates 40 and 41 which are joined by back member 42. Aplurality of apertures 43 and 44 are provided in the side plates 40 and41 respectively for receiving a pivot pin 45 which extends throughopenings 32' and 33' in the side portions 32 and 33 respectively.Conventional cotter keys 46 and 47 are inserted through apertures 48 and49 in the pin 45 for retaining the pin in position to pivotally mountthe bifurcated member to the support bracket 30. At the other end of thebifurcated member 39, there is provided apertures 50 and 51 forreceiving pin 52 upon which is mounted a roller 53 which roller ismounted between the side plates 40 and 41. The pin 52 includes apertures54 and 55 through which extend cotter keys 56 and 57 respectively whichalong with the washers 58 and 59 retain the pin 52 in position so as torotatably mount the roller 53 with the bifurcated member 39. A pluralityof elongated slots 59 and 60 are provided in the side plates 40 and 41respectively for slidably receiving the pin member 61 which includesapertures 62 and 63 in the ends thereof for receiving cotter keys 64 and65 respectively which along with the washers 66 and 67 hold the pin 61in position for sliding movement within the slots 59 and 60.

A catcher means 16 includes an elongated catcher member 68 having an endportion 69 which engages spheres as best shown in FIG. 2. A recessformed by the side walls 70 and 71 is provided for receiving theactuating means 17. End portions 73 and 74 are provided to engage theinside surface 31" of the support bracket 30 so as to limit the rotationof the catcher member 68 in a counterclockwise direction as best shownin FIG. 2. The catcher member 68 is mounted for rotation about pivot pin75 which extends through bearing means 76 and 77 which extend throughapertures 32" and 33" respectively in side portions 32 and 33respectively. Cotter keys 72 and 72' extend through openings 75' and 75"in the pin 75 to retain the pin in position. Spring members 78 and 79are mounted with the bearing means 76 and 77 on the outside of the sideportions 32 and 33 so that the ends of the end portions 78' and 79' willengage the innerbody surface 19' as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thebearing means 76 and 77 also extend through openings 73' and 71'respectively to mount the catcher member 68 with support bracket 30 forpivotal movement with respect thereto.

Apertures 80 (one of which is shown) are also provided in the sidewall70 and 71" for receiving pivot pin 81. Pivot pin 81 includes aperatures82 and 83 for receiving the ends 78" and 79" of the springs 78 and 79,respectively. Cotter keys 84 and 85 extend through openings 84' and 85'in the pin 81 for further retaining the pin in position.

The actuating means 17 includes a first link member 86 having anaperture 87 extending therethrough for receiving the pivot pin 61. Thelink member 86 includes a threaded opening in the end portion 88 forreceiving the threaded member 89. A second link member 90 is providedwhich has aperture 91 extending therethrough for receiving the pivot pin81. A threaded aperture 93 is provided in the end portion 92 forthreadably receiving the threaded member 89. As will be apparent, thedistance between the apertures 81 and 91 may be adjusted depending onhow much the threaded member 89 is screwed into the threaded aperturesin the link members 86 and 90.

METHOD OF OPERATION

The method of operation of the sphere launching apparatus of theinvention can best be understood with reference to FIGS. 4 through 8. InFIG. 4, the valve closure member, which includes the clapper 27, is inthe closed position. The sphere 12 is in position engaging the roller 53on the releasing means 14. When it is desired to release the sphere 12into the pipeline, the support pin 26 is rotated to swing the clapperopen (partially open in FIG. 5) to allow the sphere 12 through the forceof gravity to angularly pivot the releasing means 14 about the pivot pin45 out of the way of the sphere 12. At the same time the catcher means16 will pivot downwardly about the pivot pin 75 to the position shown inFIG. 6 at which time the end portions 73 and 74 will engage the surface31" to prevent further angular movement of the catcher means. At thistime the pin 61 will slide in the slots 59 and 60 so as to allow thesphere to move the releasing means out of the way so that the sphere canbe released in the pipeline. In FIG. 6 the sphere 12 is shown after ithas been released into the pipeline through swinging of the valveclosure member to its open position. In FIG. 7 the valve closure memberis shown moved almost to the closed position whereby the pin 61 hasagain engaged the ends of the slots 59 and 60.

Further movement of the valve closure member to its closed position willcause the releasing means to pivot upwardly through the actuating link17 so as to release another sphere, namely sphere 13 whereby it willassume the position of sphere 12 in FIG. 8. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and7, it is apparent that the valve closure member has almost reached theclosed position before the pivot pin 61 engages the ends of the slots 59and 60. At this time the small angular movement of the releasing meansprovided by fully closing the clapper will cause a greater angularmovement of the releasing means whereby the releasing means will bemoved to its position as shown in FIG. 1. This is achieved by therelative distances between the pivot pins 75 and 81 relative to thedistance between the pivot pins 45 and 61 when the pivot pin 61 engagesthe ends of the slots 59 and 60. Accordingly, the valve closure membermay move to the closed or substantially closed position as shown in FIG.1 before the sphere 13 has had time to roll into the position of thesphere 12 as shown in FIG. 8. When the sphere 13 engages the roller 53on the releasing means 14, the valve closure member will generally havealready reached its fully closed position. As set forth above, this isprovided by the positioning of the actuating means 17 so that the valveclosure member 18 does not actuate the catcher means 16 until the valveclosure member is almost closed and by the relative angular movementbetween the releasing means 14 and catcher 16 means. The spring members78 and 79 assure that the catcher means 16 will be moved from itsposition as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to the position as shown in FIGS. 2and 6 to prevent the release of more than one sphere for each opening ofthe valve closure member 18.

Since the valve closure member 18 generally reaches its fully closedposition before the next sphere engages the roller 53 on the releasingmeans 14, the amount of closing force to be applied to the valve closuremember is less than would be required to force one or more spheres backup into the launching tube if they had already engaged the releasingmeans long before the valve closure member had reached its fully closedposition. This is of particular significance when a plurality of verylarge spheres, which may be 24" or 36" spheres, are positioned in thelaunching tube.

The actuating means 17 can be adjusted to provide the proper angularrelationship between the releasing means 14 and catcher means 16. Thisadjustment greatly facilitates manufacturing since the permissabletolerances are greater due to the adjustment which is provided. Theadjustment can be achieved by removing one or both of the pins 61 and 81so that one of the link members 86 and 90 may be rotated relative to theother to move them further apart or closer together due to the threadedmember 89. Accordingly, the angular relationship between the catchermeans and releasing means can be quite simply adjusted so as to properlyrelease a single sphere for each opening and closing of the valveclosure member 18. The adjustment of the actuating means 17 allows forsetting of the relative angular position of the releasing means andcatcher means so that they may be optimally set for the particular sizesphere which is being utilized. Since casting may be used inmanufacturing the need for machining to achieve close tolerances isreduced or eliminated by the adjusting feature.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of thesphere launching apparatus in accordance with the invention, it will beappreciated that many changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout, however, departing from the essential spirit of the inventionwithin the scope of the claims.

I claim:
 1. A sphere launching apparatus for use with a valve having avalve closure member for releasing spheres into a pipeline, comprising:asupport means for mounting adjacent a valve closure member of a valve; asphere releasing means having a first pivot axis pivotally mounted onthe support means about the first pivot axis for operatively engagingthe valve closure member on the valve to provide angular movement to thereleasing means in response to angular movement of the valve closuremember between open and closed positions; a sphere catcher means havinga second pivot axis pivotally mounted on the support means about thesecond pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis for releasablyengaging a sphere; and actuating means operatively connecting thereleasing means and catcher means for pivoting the catcher means toprovide angular movement of the catcher means into and out of engagementwith successive spheres upon angular pivoting of the releasing means toposition a sphere for release and to release a single sphere uponopening and closing of the valve closure member.
 2. The apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein:the actuating means includes a link memberpivotally connected to the catcher means and releasing means.
 3. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein:the distance between point ofconnecton of the link member to the releasing means and the first pivotaxis is less than the distance between the point of connection of thelink member to the releasing means and the second pivot axis when thevalve closure member approaches its closed position so that the angularmovement of the releasing means provides a greater angular movement tothe catcher means so the valve closure is substantially closed beforethe catcher means releases a sphere.
 4. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein:the releasing means is operatively connected to theactuating means by a lost-motion connection means.
 5. The apparatus asset forth in claim 4, wherein:the lost-motion connection means includesa slot in the releasing means.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein:the catcher means includes a stop means to limit rotation aboutthe second pivot axis.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein:the actuating means is adjustable to vary the relative angularpositions between the releasing means and the catcher means.
 8. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein:the link member includes anadjustable means to adjust the length of the link member to vary therelative angular positions between the releasing means and the catchermeans.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:spring means isprovided to bias the catcher means to a sphere engaging position.
 10. Asphere launching apparatus for use with a valve having a valve closuremember for releasing spheres into a pipeline, comprising:a support meansfor mounting adjacent a valve closure member of a valve; a releasingmeans pivotally mounted on the support means for operatively engagingthe valve closure member to provide angular movement to the releasingmeans; a catcher means pivotally mounted on the support means to provideangular movement to the catcher means for releasably engaging a singlesphere upon opening and closing of the valve closure member; andactuating means operatively connecting the releasing means and catchermeans to provide an angular movement of the catcher means greater thanthe angular movement of the releasing means in order that the valveclosure member can be substantially closed before the next sphere isreleased by the catcher means.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim10, wherein:the releasing means is pivotally secured about a first pivotaxis; and the catcher means is pivotally secured about a second pivotaxis spaced from the first pivot axis.
 12. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 10, wherein:the actuating means includes a link member pivotallyconnected to the catcher means and releasing means.
 13. The apparatusset forth in claim 12, wherein:the distance between point of connectionof the link member to the releasing means and the first pivot axis isless than the distance between the point of connection of the linkmember to the releasing means and the second pivot axis when the valveclosure member approaches its closed position so that the angularmovement to the catcher means so the valve closure is substantiallyclosed before the catcher means releases a sphere.
 14. The apparatus asset forth in claim 10, wherein:the releasing means is operativelyconnected to the actuating means by a lost-motion connection means. 15.The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein:the lost-motionconnection means includes a slot in the releasing means.
 16. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein:the catcher means includes astop means to limit rotation about the second pivot axis.
 17. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein:the actuating means isadjustable to vary the relative angular positions between the releasingmeans and the catcher means.
 18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12,wherein:the link member includes an adjustable means to adjust thelength of the link member to vary the relative angular positions betweenthe releasing means and the catcher means.
 19. The apparatus as setforth in claim 10, wherein:spring means are provided to bias the catchermeans to a sphere engaging position.
 20. A sphere launching apparatusfor use with a valve having a valve closure member for releasing spheresinto a pipeline, comprising:a support means for mounting adjacent avalve closure member of a valve; a releasing means pivotally mounted onthe support means for operatively engaging the valve closure member toprovide angular movement to the releasing means; a catcher meanspivotally mounted on the support means to provide angular movement tothe catcher means for releasably engaging a single sphere upon openingand closing of the valve closure member; and adjustable actuating meansoperatively connecting the releasing and catcher means to vary therelative angular positions between the releasing means and the catchermeans.
 21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein:theadjustable actuating means includes an adjustable link member pivotallyconnected to the catcher means and releasing means.
 22. The apparatus asset forth in claim 21, wherein:the distance between point of connectionof the adjustable link member to the releasing means and the first pivotaxis is less than the distance between the point of connection of thelink member to the releasing means and the second pivot axis when thevalve closure member approaches its closed position so that the angularmovement of the releasing means provides a greater angular movement tothe catcher means so the valve closure is substantially closed beforethe catcher means releases a sphere.
 23. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 20, wherein:the releasing means is operatively connected to theadjustable actuating means by a lost-motion connection means.
 24. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein:the lost-motion connectionmeans includes a slot in the releasing means.
 25. The apparatus as setforth in claim 20, wherein:the catcher means includes a stop means tolimit rotation about the second pivot axis.
 26. The apparatus as setforth in claim 20, wherein:spring means in provided to biased thecatcher means to a sphere engaging position.